About Alzheimer's
— Latest Scientific Findings

The primary risk factor for acquiring Alzheimer’s
disease is age. Alzheimer’s starts early in life and
progresses to a point where we can detect noticeable declines in
cognitive functions, such as memory gaps or loss. As depicted in
the Life Path chart, age-related disorders are influenced from
an early age by our lifestyle as well as genetic makeup.

The Crisis of Alzheimer’s

Fact: 1 in 10 people
are now at least 60 years old. By 2050, the ratio will be 1 in
6. Fact: Alzheimer’s represents the largest
percentage of dementia.

Research in three areas offers
hope

1. Brain Mechanisms

The Glial cell’s
role in the symptomatic period of Alzheimer’s disease and
in the very early, preclinical stages is getting more
recognition. Glial dysfunction and myelin breakdown occur as
early as midlife and progress over the next 30 to 40 years. The
age risk factor for Alzheimer’s may be early, progressive,
and related to glial dysfunction. Therefore, treatments and
lifestyle changes targeted to support glial function may
significantly delay the onset and severity of
Alzheimer’s.

2. Early Diagnosis

Early
diagnosis and treatment provides greater opportunity to delay,
if not reverse, symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

PET or MRI may detect and track early
preclinical changes as early as 30 years of age. PET research
offers dramatic insights into changes in brain metabolism, blood
flow, and receptor functions. This neuroimage shows two aging
brains: on the left, one of a healthy individual; and on the
right, one of an Alzheimer’s individual with greatly
reduced metabolism.

3. Available Treatments

Currently available drugs
are somewhat effective in reducing some aspects of cognitive
decline, but they do not greatly influence the course of the
disease.

However, a natural, holistic, and medicinal
approach may offer the best chance to slow or reverse the
cognitive and pathologic changes of Alzheimer’s. This
suggests the possibility of halting these changes and perhaps
restoring normal brain function in affected patients.

The
oldest, most systematic health care system in the world is
Ayurveda. This ancient system of health and longevity
offers hope in the fight against Alzheimer’s.